Luxury boutique hotel group, Grace Hotels, has appointed Robert Swade as its Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2016. The appointment coincides with a significant expansion programme at privately-owned Grace Hotels, which currently has fifteen properties open, or under development, across four continents.
Robert Swade joins Grace Hotels from the Jumeirah Group where he is currently the Group Chief Operating Officer, responsible for hotel operations and development worldwide. Robert has been an integral part of the senior executive team of the Jumeirah Group since he joined the company in 2005. For the last four years, he has also been responsible for the strategy of global expansion for the Jumeirah brand, overseeing a period of significant expansion and building a robust portfolio of future hotel projects for the company.
As the CEO of Grace Hotels, Swade will take on responsibility for the overall strategic direction of the group, developing the brand and expanding its global footprint. The next Grace hotel to open will be Grace Marrakech, located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains in 15 hectares of Moroccan countryside, featuring its own farmstead with olive trees, vegetable gardens and stables. Also under development is La Dolfina Grace, just south of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This hotel and residential villas development unites world class polo player Adolfo Cambiaso’s La Dolfina polo and fashion brand with the Grace Hotels hospitality ethos. Work has just begun on the creation of Grace St. Moritz, a radical transformation of the historic La Margna hotel, directly overlooking the lake in the legendary Alpine resort. The 56-room hotel includes 17 luxury apartments currently for sale. The group has further pipeline projects in the Mediterranean and Asia.
Commenting on the appointment, Constantine Logothetis, Executive Vice Chairman of the Libra Group, the parent company of Grace Hotels, stated: “Robert Swade has played a critical role in building and enhancing the Jumeirah brand, and steering it through the inevitable complexities of large-scale growth. Grace Hotels is fortunate to be benefitting from his wisdom, track record and international perspective as it embarks on the next phase of its global journey.”
Robert Swade commented: “I am proud to be joining Grace Hotels as its CEO. I have watched the group’s evolution with interest and I am impressed by its commitment to bring new innovations to luxury hospitality. Ever since Grace Hotels entered the luxury boutique hotel market in 2007 it has been winning awards and breaking new ground. Grace has a very special portfolio of properties and a clear vision for future growth, and I am delighted to bring my experience to the team.”